News

China to Develop Animal Welfare Standards

17 November 2015

CHINA - Chinese veterinarians have started drafting the country's first welfare standard for the farming and slaughter of livestock and poultry, according to the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).

The standards will not be compulsory, but it will be the first industry welfare standard for livestock in China and will cover pigs, chicken, sheep and cattle.

The CVMA will partner with about 30 leading businesses in farming, slaughtering, food processing and food services to develop the standards.

Living conditions, disease control and procedures before slaughtering will all be considered in the new standards, to be published by the association in June 2016.

For example, the standard will recommend stunning chickens before slaughtering to relieve pain, Sun Zhongchao, head of the animal welfare project under the CVMA, told Xinhua News Agency on Friday.

The standard will list specifics for farm conditions, including livestock density, temperature, humidity and food and water hygiene to improve their health, Mr Sun said.

Europe and the United States pay close attention to animal welfare, but standards in China are still in an initial stage, Mr Sun added.